MICHAEL Le Vell will no longer be appearing in Coronation Street after being charged with 19 sexual offences.

The 48-year-old actor, whose real name is Michael Turner, has played mechanic Kevin Webster for 30 years and is one of the soap’s longest-running characters.

However, upon hearing the news that the father-of-two had been charged with offences that include child rape and engaging in sexual activity with a child, ITV were quick to make a decision.

The television network said that Le Vell will no longer be appearing in any further episodes, saying: "Given the serious nature of these charges, Michael Le Vell will not be appearing in Coronation Street pending the outcome of legal proceedings. It would not be appropriate for us to comment further at this time."

The news will come as a shock to Le Vell's co-stars such as Sally Dynevor and Brooke Vincent (ITV)

Given the serious nature of these charges, Michael Le Vell will not be appearing in Coronation Street pending the outcome of legal proceedings.

ITV spokesperson

Bosses of the soap, will no doubt find themselves heavily editing future episodes of Coronation Street as the programme is filmed six weeks in advance, and Le Vell is involved in one of the latest explosive storylines.

The news will no doubt come as a shock to his co-stars such as Sally Dynevor who plays his onscreen wife Sally Webster and young actress Brooke Vincent who plays his daughter Sophie.

None of the soap’s stars have jumped to Le Vell’s defence via their Twitter pages, unlike back in 2011 when several of his co-stars publically supported him when he was first arrested.

However, Le Vell himself was tweeting up until yesterday, with his last post reading: "Happy valentine's day . X"

The actor has played mechanic Kevin Webster for 30 years (Granada Television)

It is unknown how ITV plan to cover his absence win the soap’s current storylines.

Le Vell’s past storylines include a turbulent marriage with his onscreen wife, constant drama with his two daughters, and more recently he helped fellow Weatherfield resident Tyrone Dobbs kidnap his baby daughter.

The actor has two children with his estranged wife Beverley, whom he married in October 1986.